Skinner (1993)

"It's good to be happy."  - Dennis

A serial killer moves to a new city, followed by a mysterious woman who knows his secrets.
Starring: Ted Raimi, Traci Lords, Ricki Lake

Link to IMDB

Dennis Skinner is a new drifter in town, looking for a place to call home, and he finds a spare room at the house of the naive Kerry. Dennis has a secret hobby though, which is killing people and then wearing their skin! He's very insane, and I really mean seriously bat-shit insane!
Following Dennis into town is the crippled Heidi. She's the one victim that survived and has been tracking him for years, looking to get her revenge.
Dennis can appear (mostly) normal, so he gets a job and makes friends with Kerry. But will he lose control of his murderous hobby, or will the vengeful Heidi destroy him first?
That's pretty much the entire premise, but this movie is more than skin deep. (ugh, I had to.)


There's actually not too much gore and violence, but it's still definitely not for the faint of heart. The blood we see is nothing compared to just how inherently creepy it feels watching Dennis wear the skins of his victims.
The entire cast does a good job, but it's Ted Raimi that steals the show. He plays a psycho in such a disturbingly irregular way. It's almost like no one told him this was not a comedy, and yet it's effective as we see his madness spill out of him. He does some truly disturbing stuff and it gets macabre at times, but it's also rather funny.

Traci Lords' role is unlike anything else she's done. She's almost unrecognizable as the wounded Heidi, and really embraces the weirdness of the role. Well, everything in the movie embraces weirdness!

Instead of just being a slasher movie, it feels more like a dark fairytale. Everything is eccentric and surreal. The undertones explore the themes of what makes a victim, what makes a monster, and how our past cannot be hidden behind a mask. (And it explores weirdness, don't forget the weirdness!)
A unique movie that defies categorization.

Be sure not to miss:
- Water imagery is used throughout. Dennis admires it for its freedom, and yet he devours it like a savage beast. He and Heidi both appear calm on the surface, but boil within. Water is also a mirror.
- The dog died from eating that!

Internet review:
"Skinner really just has to be seen to be believed." - McKibben

Should I watch it?
Enjoyable as something demented and outrageous, but it's not going to brighten up your day.

Where can I find it?
Here on YouTube

Skinner gets...